07/03/2013

Solo shot lifts Red Sox past Panthers

Tanner Nivins continued his hot hitting Wednesday, but the Panthers fell short against Brantford. Dave Strome photo

BRANTFORD -The Panthers carried a one-run lead into the fifth inning Wednesday, before the first-place Brantford Red Sox bats came alive.

Kitchener would claw their way back to tie the game at 4-4 two innings later, but in the end, it was just one swing - off the bat of Lee Delfino - that made the difference, when he blasted a
home run in the eighth inning to give the Red Sox the winning run.

The Red Sox improved to 23-4 for a commanding hold of top spot in the IBL, while the 12-10 Panthers dropped into fourth place with the loss.

Led off in the third by a solo home run from Tanner Nivins, the Panthers added two more in the top of the fifth. Nivins is now hitting .536 since joining the Panthers in June, and has swatted 15 hits and driving in 14 RBI in 28 at bats.

After coughing up the lead, the Panthers clawed their way back in the seventh when Mike Winter drove in Rick Murray.

Starter Matt McGovern lasted 5.1 innings, giving up eight hits and four runs while striking out four. Matt Robertson was charged with the loss.

Brantford starter Mike Meyers pitched six innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, while striking out one and walking one. Adam Arnold picked up the win in relief, while Nathan Forer got the save.

The Panthers' next game is Thursday night at Jack Couch Park in Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.